My visit to Ohio (Columbus, Cleveland: hotel, house, find a job)

[NC_MVP]

I visited Ohio for the first time last week. (I am from North Carolina btw) I have some friends in Columbus that I went to visit. I also spent 2 days in Cleveland while I was there. Columbus reminded me of a larger version of Raleigh. (that is not entirely a bad thing) My friends are trying to get me to relocate to Columbus but I fell in love with Cleveland. Downtown, Ohio City, Beachwood Place Mall, Shaker Heights, Middleburg Heights (the hotel was in Middleburg Heights) were basically the only places I visited but Cleveland really impressed me.

I don't know why Cleveland gets such a bad rap. Cleveland, imo, is much better than Charlotte. I am sure there are some rough areas of Cleveland that I did not see but the areas around Central Ave/Quincy Ave did not look any worse than some of the neighborhoods here in Greensboro. Anyway, I may be relocating to Columbus soon or Cleveland if I can find a job.

[tracyo]

I'm curious about your post. We were just asked to consider moving to Cleveland from Charlotte -- we are from NYC area and to move from NY to Charlotte to Cleveland seems unthinkable. We like Charlotte (weather, clean) but miss many aspects of NY (neighborhoods without strip malls, etc) and looked at picture of Cleveland that remind us of many neighborhoods in NY. Why do you think Cleveland is better than Charlotte. AFter all, the weather can't compare and it doesn't seem like a growing city. Although there is a body of water (although it may be very polluted, from what I hear). I'd like to keep an open mind, but it's hard with so many people, including many from Ohio, who say they'd never move there. Any advice? We have kids from grammar to high school and would like a safe, friendly, neighborhood to raise them in. Thanks

[htlong]

Cleveland gets a bad rap from the 60's and 70's when the cuyahoga river caught fire , back in the days of normal pollution,also their sports teams seem to choke when it comes down to the big games,and the fans have been known to be a little uncivilized at times.
I just moved back to N.E. Ohio after being gone for 20+ years and the downtown and the lakefront are very Impressive.
I was expecting gloomy days and rain , but it wasn't to be I enjoyed bright sunshine without the 100+ HUMIDITY i HAD DOWN SOUTH I didn't have to hurry to get my work done by 10 am and sit in the ac all day.
housing is so cheap I could almost buy a separate house for my dog!

[South Range Family]

Anybody that tells you Lake Erie is polluted hasn't been there for 20 years. The Zebra mussels were the best thing to happen to that lake. Fishermen go out for Walleye and use a weight called a cannonball. A cannonball can still be seen twenty feet down. That water is clean, and clear.

[Mrs. P]

Originally Posted by NC_MVP

I visited Ohio for the first time last week. (I am from North Carolina btw) I have some friends in Columbus that I went to visit. I also spent 2 days in Cleveland while I was there. Columbus reminded me of a larger version of Raleigh. (that is not entirely a bad thing) My friends are trying to get me to relocate to Columbus but I fell in love with Cleveland. Downtown, Ohio City, Beachwood Place Mall, Shaker Heights, Middleburg Heights (the hotel was in Middleburg Heights) were basically the only places I visited but Cleveland really impressed me.

I don't know why Cleveland gets such a bad rap. Cleveland, imo, is much better than Charlotte. I am sure there are some rough areas of Cleveland that I did not see but the areas around Central Ave/Quincy Ave did not look any worse than some of the neighborhoods here in Greensboro. Anyway, I may be relocating to Columbus soon or Cleveland if I can find a job.

Agree 100%....from a former Ohioan now living in a bedroom community of Charlotte, and working in Charlotte.

SOOOOOOO much more to do in NE Ohio.

[Mrs. P]

Originally Posted by South Range Family

Anybody that tells you Lake Erie is polluted hasn't been there for 20 years. The Zebra mussels were the best thing to happen to that lake. Fishermen go out for Walleye and use a weight called a cannonball. A cannonball can still be seen twenty feet down. That water is clean, and clear.

Yum....I miss having fresh Walleye...

[firefightermom]

I lived in Cleveland from 1989 to 1999 and loved it. There is a ton to do...museums, theatre, food festivals, etc. I left before the Browns came back, but the fans were eagerly awaiting their return (there used to be a countdown clock in Tower City) and the Indians were great then. The Jake was brand new and such an improvement to the old stadium. Great restaurants, the Rock Hall, the Science Museum, there is always something to do.
There is even more to do if you drive a bit...Cedar Point at Sandusky, Put in Bay Island, Geauga Lake. I used to go to Mentor Headlands beach and Fairport Harbor. Canada is only 3 hours away in either direction--meaning NY state or through MI..
Of course there are those parts you don't want to see...East Cleveland and inner city areas. Some school districts are terribel, such as Cleve hts-Univ Hts, but there are also tons of excellent private schools, and Ohio has tons of good colleges and universities.
I would move back in a minute.

[raising3boys]

We just moved back to Ohio after being gone for almost twenty years! I am not missing SC in the least bit. We live about 40 minutes from Cleveland and love it! We are living in a small town right on Lake Erie. It is wonderful living so close to the lake and Cleveland. I agree that Cleveland does offer more than Charlotte.
( We lived about hour away from there)

Good luck with the choice you make, however I would not rule out near Cleveland.

[NC_MVP]

Originally Posted by tracyo

I'm curious about your post. We were just asked to consider moving to Cleveland from Charlotte -- we are from NYC area and to move from NY to Charlotte to Cleveland seems unthinkable. We like Charlotte (weather, clean) but miss many aspects of NY (neighborhoods without strip malls, etc) and looked at picture of Cleveland that remind us of many neighborhoods in NY. Why do you think Cleveland is better than Charlotte. AFter all, the weather can't compare and it doesn't seem like a growing city. Although there is a body of water (although it may be very polluted, from what I hear). I'd like to keep an open mind, but it's hard with so many people, including many from Ohio, who say they'd never move there. Any advice? We have kids from grammar to high school and would like a safe, friendly, neighborhood to raise them in. Thanks

True, Cleveland does not seem like a growing city especially when compared to Charlotte. I am single with no kids, schools are not really an issue for me. The weather would take a lot of getting used too. I have lived in NC all my life and have never experienced tons of snow. I need a change of scenery! Honestly, if I were married with kids I would probably choose Charlotte over Cleveland.

[NC_MVP]

Originally Posted by firefightermom

and Ohio has tons of good colleges and universities.

Well I plan to go back to school and get my MBA eventually. I have not researched any universities in the Cleveland area but I know that Ohio State is a really good school.